GoldMind said:

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Has Whitley even thrown this year? I might have missed it as I haven't got to watch every spring game.

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He was invited to minor league spring training, not major league like Kyle Tucker and others.

And of course Whitley has been suspended 50 games, so he'll start his Hooks season in June. He'll be invited to Major League Spring Training next year, and will make his major league debut sometime after the start of the 2019 season.

GoldMind said:

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Has Whitley even thrown this year? I might have missed it as I haven't got to watch every spring game.

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All I know is that he's suspended for 50 games.

Kyle Tucker getting some run in the Washington Post today.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/tucker-hits-slam-in-1st-minute-maid-ab-as-astros-top-brewers/2018/03/26/6b2625a0-316a-11e8-b6bd-0084a1666987_story.html?utm_term=.aad4eb7ce62c

ValpoCory said:

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Kyle Tucker getting some run in the Washington Post today.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/tucker-hits-slam-in-1st-minute-maid-ab-as-astros-top-brewers/2018/03/26/6b2625a0-316a-11e8-b6bd-0084a1666987_story.html?utm_term=.aad4eb7ce62c

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BEAST

What is the earliest date he can be an Astro without this counting as a year of service?

JusHappy2BeHere said:

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What is the earliest date he can be an Astro without this counting as a year of service?

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Pretty quick. 16 days. That's all Tucker has to stay in the minors to set his free agency point to before the 2025 season. If Tucker had made the opening day roster, he would have been a free agent before the 2024 season.

This is all that Kris Bryant waited in Chicago in 2015, being called up on April 17th of that year. Same thing with George Springer in 2014 for the Astros, debuting on April 16th, 2014.

However, the Astros and many other teams rarely do just that. Instead, they wait ~70 days to call up players to ensure that in addition to not being a free agent for 7 years, they don't get a bonus 4th year of arbitration status by being a "Super-Two" player. Waiting 70-75 days means Tucker's salary in 2021-24 will be the major league minimum (~$600K), and a hypothetical $5M, $10M, and $15M, respectively. That totals $30.6M. If Tucker is a "Super-Two", his 2021-24 salaries will be $5M, $10M, $15M, and $20M, respectively. That totals $50M. So keeping Tucker in the minors for an additional 55-60 days potentially saves the Astros $20 million. George Springer as a Super Two is making $27.5M in his first 3 arbitration years, with one to go in 2020.

This is what will likely happen to Kyle Tucker and Ronald Acuna (Braves) this year.

I suspect a call up of each player at March 29th +75 days = around June 11th. The Astros have a homestand from June 18th-27th, so sometime in there, expect to see Tucker. Friday, June 22nd against the Royals is my pick. For reference, Correa's debut was June 8th, 2015.

It's crazy to think that Jim Crane (and subsequently possibly Jeff Luhnow) was ~$10 million away from owning the Rangers in late 2010. "How dare he challenge Nolan Ryan's ownership!" was the general feel amongst Rangers fans during the auction that went into the night, that saw Nolan's group beat Crane/Mark Cuban by a count of $590 vs. $581.2 million.

It's tough to imagine the Astros winning the World Series without Jim Crane and Jeff Luhnow.

ValpoCory said:

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It's crazy to think that Jim Crane (and subsequently possibly Jeff Luhnow) was $10million away from owning the Rangers in late 2010. "How dare he challenge Nolan Ryan's ownership" was the general feel amongst Rangers fans during the auction that went into the night.

It's tough to imagine the Astros winning the World Series without Jim Crane and Jeff Luhnow.

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Facts.

As a Texan, I will generally cheer any pro team from this state if they make it to a championship, thus I was hoping the Rangers could win a ring. Gottdamn Nelson Cruz. Just act like you give a **** and the game is over. Smdh.

Bear8084 said:

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Opening Day! Here is a great written piece by an Astroscounty editor as to why this is a special moment for Astros fans, Go 'Stros!!!!!

http://www.astroscounty.com/2018/03/enjoy-this-moment-astro-fans.html?m=1

GoldMind said:

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ValpoCory said:

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It's crazy to think that Jim Crane (and subsequently possibly Jeff Luhnow) was $10million away from owning the Rangers in late 2010. "How dare he challenge Nolan Ryan's ownership" was the general feel amongst Rangers fans during the auction that went into the night.

It's tough to imagine the Astros winning the World Series without Jim Crane and Jeff Luhnow.

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Facts.

As a Texan, I will generally cheer any pro team from this state if they make it to a championship, thus I was hoping the Rangers could win a ring. Gottdamn Nelson Cruz. Just act like you give a **** and the game is over. Smdh.

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I wasn't. I hope they go 0-162.

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Thats a fate I only wish on the Yankees....

Well well well looky at what we got here. Ideal first couple of innings.

Looked like an off night tonight against Flower Mound. I dunno why Stassi was catching for Keuchel, they looked like they couldn't get on the same page the whole game. Gotta play better tomorrow. Go 'Stros!!!!!

Maybe if Direc t.v. and att didn't team up I could watch them on dish but it's not likely. I am appreciating the national broadcasts. Monday is on ESPN.

Bear8084 said:

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Another game, another blow-out of the Tarrant County Rangers. I am chalking up the one loss to Keuchel and the bats just being off. On to Opening Day at Minute Maid Park. Go 'Stros!!!!

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Home opener for defending the crown. Really excited!

Who amongst us will be joining me at the Juice Box for opening day?

Nice drama with the banner revealing

Positive Bear said:

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Nice drama with the banner revealing

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We were rolling. Poor dude had to climb it twice.

Positive Bear said:

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Nice drama with the banner revealing

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The tarp must've been a Rangers fan.

That first pitch by Rich Dauer to AJ was so awesome.

'Stros up 4-0 and cruising at the top of the fifth. Go 'Stros!!!!!

Positive Bear said:

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Nice drama with the banner revealing

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Up 5-0 now. Dramatic.

Positive Bear said:

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Team is even better than last year in my early season prediction. There might be injuries but they could top last season's win total.

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Shhhhhhh. Oldbear will hear you...

GoldMind said:

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Positive Bear said:

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Team is even better than last year in my early season prediction. There might be injuries but they could top last season's win total.

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Shhhhhhh. Oldbear will hear you...

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What? You think I disagree?

our starting rotation has a 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, and Ground Chuck (the only man to ever win 2 game 7's in the same playoff run)

we have McHugh (3 seasons since he had one fewer quality starts than his Cy Young winning teammate) and Peacock in our Bull Pen.

we are one Tervor Hoffman or Mariano Rivera from maybe being the best staff ever.

The way this team rakes, and runs bases and plays defense....


we are almost slump proof.

JusHappy2BeHere said:

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our starting rotation has a 1, 1a, 1b, 1c, and Ground Chuck (the only man to ever win 2 game 7's in the same playoff run)

we have McHugh (3 seasons since he had one fewer quality starts than his Cy Young winning teammate) and Peacock in our Bull Pen.

we are one Tervor Hoffman or Mariano Rivera from maybe being the best staff ever.

The way this team rakes, and runs bases and plays defense....


we are almost slump proof.

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Well spoke, dear.

I really don't think Peacock gets the credit he deserves.

Peacock and McHugh would be a 2-4 on almost every other team in baseball.

Positive Bear said:

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Team is even better than last year in my early season prediction. There might be injuries but they could top last season's win total.

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Thanks for being... positive.

anyone going tonight?

JusHappy2BeHere said:

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anyone going tonight?

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I may decide to go last minute. I'd like to see the Lords of the Rings.

GoldMind said:

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JusHappy2BeHere said:

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anyone going tonight?

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I may decide to go last minute. I'd like to see the Lords of the Rings.

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Is Gandalf pitching?

I'm one that loves the roof closed. Simply because that is one of the loudest venues when packed.